#7 Lourdes Makes History with 75-65 win over #4 Cornerstone

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Lourdes University put together the deepest run in Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference tournament history to claim its first ever WHAC tournament title. The tournament field expanded to 10 teams for the first time this season, and as the #7 seed, the Gray Wolves had to play in the opening round game. An four games in seven days and the Gray Wolves are WHAC tournament champions after knocking off the host Cornerstone Golden Eagles in Grand Rapids on Monday night, 75-65. With the win, the Gray Wolves earn the WHAC's second autobid to the NAIA National Championship. They will figure out their opponent and destination on Thursady at 6 p.m. on the NAIA selection show. 

The game started in favor of the Gray Wolves, who established a commanding 41-26 halftime lead, setting the tone for the rest of the competition. Despite a strong second-half push by the Golden Eagles, Lourdes maintained their lead, buoyed by standout performances from their key players. Macie Stringfellow led the scoring for Lourdes with 22 points and completed a double-double with 11 rebounds. Emma Pedroza was close behind with an impressive 18 points and 5 rebounds, while Tamyah Worthy contributed 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 steals to the team's victory.

Olivia Kubik was the top scorer for Cornerstone, accumulating 22 points, but the balanced and resilient defense from Lourdes blunted the effectiveness of their offense. The Gray Wolves displayed tactical superiority, evident in key game moments like Laura Innerebner's crucial blocked layup in the second quarter, which helped shift momentum.

Cornerstone's tremendous season and postseason run came to a close in the hardfought loss. The Golden Eagles had to knock off #1 Indiana Tech in the semifinals to earn the tournament finals berth. Olivia Kubik led all CU scorers with 22 points while Jaxi Long added 12 points and seven rebounds. Emma Costen chipped in nine. 

All-Time WHAC (seed) Tournament Champions
1992-93: Unknown
1993-94: (2) Spring Arbor
1994-95: (2) Tri-State
1995-96: Unknown
1996-97: Unknown
1997-98: Unknown
1998-99: (1) Spring Arbor
1999-2000: (2) Aquinas
2000-01: (3) Cornerstone
2001-02: (2) Cornerstone
2002-03: (5) Madonna
2003-04: (1) Cornerstone
2004-05: (1) Cornerstone
2005-06: (2) Davenport
2006-07: (3) Cornerstone
2007-08: (3) Aquinas
2008-09: (2) Cornerstone
2009-10: (1) Davenport
2010-11: (1) Davenport
2011-12: (1) Davenport
2012-13: (1) Davenport
2013-14: (1) Davenport
2014-15: (1) Davenport
2015-16: (1) Davenport
2016-17: (1) Davenport
2017-18: (6) Cornerstone
2018-19: (1) Indiana Tech
2019-20: (1) Indiana Tech
2020-21: (2) Indiana Tech
2021-22: (1) Indiana Tech
2022-23: (3) Rochester
2023-24: (1) Indiana Tech
2024-25: (7) Lourdes